Monthly Archives: March 2019

Bad news for Man Utd: £53m+ rated defensive target deals blow to hopes of transfer

Inter defender Milan Skriniar has seemingly ended any Man Utd hopes of a transfer amid ongoing speculation linking him with a move to Old Trafford.

As noted by The Sun, he continues to be linked with a switch to United this month despite talk of a contract renewal offer, while it’s added that the Red Devils are said to have had a £53m offer rebuffed last year.

SEE MORE: Long-time Man Utd transfer target valued at €40m as exit touted

If that wasn’t enough of an indication that the Nerazzurri have no desire to sell, the latest blow has come from the Slovakian international himself, as he has ruled out an exit from the San Siro.

“I have decided, for me there is only Inter, I remain with the Nerazzurri. We will win trophies, I’m sure,” he is quoted as saying by Calciomercato, via the paper edition of Tuttosport.

That should now end all talk of an exit, with the Italian giants now focused on securing another top-four finish in Serie A this season to secure a return to the Champions League.

Skriniar has been an important part in that improvement under Luciano Spalletti, making 40 appearances last season while being an almost ever-present this year too.

In contrast, it will be a blow for United as although they have improved defensively under interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, they still have the unwanted record of having the worst defence out of the top seven sides in the Premier League, having conceded 33 goals in 23 league games.

Solskjaer has seemingly found a solution as they’ve only conceded four goals in the seven games that he’s been in charge of, but ultimately, they could still be looking for long-term solutions in defence if their next manager isn’t content with their current options.

For now though, it seems as though Skriniar will be going nowhere as he plots a successful future at the heart of the Inter defence.

Real Madrid identify €80m PSG superstar as primary transfer target

PSG defender Marquinhos is the subject of interest from Real Madrid, who are hoping to bolster their options at the back before the transfer window closes.

According to Don Balon, Madrid president Florentino Perez has identified the Brazilian as the club’s number one target, with the team still suffering in defence at the start of 2019.

Los Blancos have already conceded 26 goals in La Liga this term after just 22 games, which is more than any club in the top seven. A 4-2 win away at Espanyol on Sunday highlighted their vulnerability at the back once again and now Perez is keen to act in the winter market.

Don Balon reports that Marquinhos would cost Madrid around €80 million, which given his age (24) and quality would represent a shrewd piece of business for the European champions.

Current club captain Sergio Ramos has not been his reliable self this season and as he approaches the latter stages of his career at 32, perhaps now is the time for him to pass the torch down to a new favourite at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Raphael Varane usually partners Ramos in the heart of the defence for Madrid and he is unlikely to lose his spot in the starting XI given the fact that he continues to improve at such a dramatic rate and at 25-years-old the best is still yet to come from him.

Marquinhos

The prospect of Marquinhos and Varane lining up together is a tantalising one, but PSG will surely be reluctant to lose one of their most prized assets at this stage of the season.

However, Madrid are now facing an uphill battle to win La Liga, already 10 points behind leaders and arch-rivals Barcelona, with the Copa Del Rey and the Champions League now their only realistic avenues for silverware.

Los Blancos are still chasing a fourth successive European Cup, but they haven’t been the same dominant force this season and are considered major outsiders to achieve such an unprecedented feat come May.

The arrival of Marquinhos could boost their chances of success massively, which makes this story one to keep a close eye on in the coming days.

Manchester United plotting stunning £160m swoop for young English stars

Manchester United caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is plotting a sensational summer swoop for three of England’s hottest young stars. The trio would cost at least £160m.

According to The Sun, England sensations Jadon Sancho and Declan Rice are at the top of Solskjaer’s summer wishlist, the Norwegian is keen on adding homegrown talent to United’s squad and he’s also in the market for a young English defender.

A report from The Sun yesterday claimed that the United hierarchy would like to seal a deal for Solskjaer to become the Red Devils’ next permanent manager in the next couple of days.

It’s understood that Solskjaer would also like to sign one of either Crystal Palace right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka or Leicester centre-back Harry Maguire, although the report highlights that United will have to sell one centre-back before they consider another defender.

The Sun reported that Rice is valued at £40m, Sancho at £80m, Wan-Bissaka £40m and Maguire at £50m. With the exception of Maguire the young trio of Rice, Sancho and Wan-Bissaka have been exceptional this season which will no doubt drive their values up more.

Sancho has been one of the standout performers across Europe this season. The 19-year-old has been tearing it up for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga.

Right-back is an area that United need to improve on in the summer, with Antonio Valencia’s future looking uncertain and Ashley Young turning 34 in the summer – the Red Devils need to install a sturdy option at the back and Wan-Bissaka certainly fits the bill.

Rice and Sancho have stormed into the England senior team recently and given Wan-Bissaka’s performances this season it looks as though he will be the next young star that Gareth Southgate brings into the Three Lions fold.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been outstanding this season, it’s fair to say that the 21-year-old has been one of the best right-backs in the league this season.

Rice is the perfect holding midfielder for Solskjaer to eye for United, the West Ham star only made his debut for England last week against Czech Republic before being handed his first start by Southgate against Montenegro on Monday night:

If Ed Woodward can make these deals happen, all of his past shortcomings in the transfer market will be forgotten by United fans.

Man Utd tipped to confirm new contract for key ace with £70k-a-week wage rise

Anthony Martial is reportedly set to put pen to paper on a new contract at Man Utd, which will see him commit his future to the club for five years.

The 23-year-old joined the Red Devils from Monaco in 2015, and has since gone on to make over 150 appearances for the club while winning an FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League.

SEE MORE: Concern for Solskjaer as influential Man Utd ace could have injury issue

However, he has struggled throughout his time at Old Trafford to permanently cement his place in the starting line-up, particularly under Jose Mourinho prior to his departure last month.

With that in mind, question marks were raised over whether or not he would have a prominent role to play for United, and coupled with the fact that his current contract expires at the end of this season, albeit the club have an option to extend for a year, it had led to doubts over his future, as noted by the Independent last year.

As reported by the Metro though, via RMC Sport, it’s been suggested that Martial is on the verge of signing a new five-year deal with Man Utd, which will see his wages increase by £70,000-a-week, as he is being tipped to earn £190,000-a-week with his new contract.

Time will tell if an official announcement follows shortly, but for now it seems as though the Frenchman is moving towards committing his long-term future to the club, as opposed to moving closer to an exit.

Given the quality that he can bring to the table, that will surely be music to the ears of all concerned as along with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Romelu Lukaku and Jesse Lingard, he undoubtedly has a place to be a key part of United’s long-term future in the final third.

AC Milan prepared to pay €100M to seal transfer of quality Real Madrid talisman

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AC Milan are reportedly willing to fork out around €100M in order to bring Real Madrid and Wales star Gareth Bale to Serie A. 

It’s fair to say that Bale hasn’t had it all his own way since moving to the Santiago Bernabeu, with injuries and inconsistent form plaguing the winger’s time in the Spanish capital.

And it seems like the former Spurs man may be about to be offered a way out of Real Madrid if this report from Don Balon is anything to go by.

The report from the Spanish news outlet notes that the Spanish giants are willing to listen to offers for the forward, with AC Milan keen on sealing a move for the player.

Don Balon’s report notes that Milan are ready to fork out €100M to bring Bale to the San Siro, a price that may be too much for a player like the Welshman.

Bale has been fairly injury prone since his move to Real, with the 29-year-old failing to make the step up to being Real’s main man following Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Juventus in the summer.

Milan are ready to fork out a huge sum in order to bring Gareth Bale to Italy

If Milan do come in with a €100M bid for Bale, Los Blancos should definitely accept, especially when you consider how injury prone the player is, as well as the fact that he’s to turn 30 later this year.

Milan haven’t been at the top of European football for quite some time now, however should they bring Bale in, it could be the signing the club need to propel them to the top of the world once again.

Arsenal keep tabs on another bench-warming midfielder ahead of potential transfer

Arsenal are reportedly one of the clubs keeping tabs on the potential of a transfer for Real Madrid midfield outcast Dani Ceballos.

In the latest uninspiring transfer story involving the Gunners this January, it seems they’re joined by Roma and Real Betis in following Ceballos’ situation as his Bernabeu future looks in doubt after a lack of playing time, according to Don Balon.

MORE: (Photo) Arsenal star likes transfer rumour involving £38million attacker

The Spaniard was once regarded as an exciting young prospect in La Liga, but he’s not really been given enough opportunities at Real Madrid to show what he can do.

It could be that a move to the Emirates Stadium would revive his career, but one imagines Arsenal fans would like to see a bit more ambition from their club at the moment.

A big name in Aaron Ramsey is nearing the end of his Arsenal contract, while Mesut Ozil isn’t playing much at the moment.

Klopp orders Liverpool to make SHOCK transfer raid on Man United after development at Chelsea

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is reportedly keen on a transfer swoop for Manchester United misfit forward Alexis Sanchez.

The Chile international is seemingly on the market after his struggles at Old Trafford, despite a much-improved display for the club in their 3-1 FA Cup win over his former club Arsenal on Friday night.

MORE: £40m star hands in transfer request following Liverpool transfer talks

Atletico Madrid were interested before opting instead for Chelsea’s Alvaro Morata, and Don Balon now list Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain as the three clubs chasing Sanchez.

With Atletico out of the running, that surely improves Liverpool’s chances of signing the 30-year-old, who is a world class performer on his day, despite his struggles in Manchester.

Sanchez shone at previous club Arsenal and looks ideally suited to Klopp’s style of play at Liverpool, which may be why the German tactician is keen on him.

Alexis Sanchez in action for Manchester United

Real Madrid monitor Manchester United star ahead of potential transfer

Spanish giants Real Madrid are reportedly monitoring one of Manchester United’s best players, this could seriously impact United’s hopes of tying down the star to a new contract.

According to Bleacher Report, Madrid have been monitoring Rashford and it’s no surprise given the impressive form that the youngster has been in since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took charge of United.

Since Solskjaer’s appointment as caretaker boss the 21-year-old has contributed six goals in six games (5 goals and 1 assist), Rashford has come on leaps and bounds for United this season and he has quickly turned into one of their key players.

Rashford has scored 8 goals and laid on 6 assists to his teammates in the Premier League this season.

Rashford now has the opportunity to leverage Madrid’s interest in him, when he opens discussions with United over a new contract. It’s understood that the twenty-time Premier League champions are willing to double the forward’s current earnings by offering him a deal worth around £150,000 a week.

Rashford is now widely regarded as one of the brightest talents for both club and country and one thing that is certain is that the Red Devils won’t give up their golden-boy without a fight.

Bid rejected: Juventus superstar snubs Man United transfer in favour of lucrative Qatar deal

Juventus defender Medhi Benatia has rejected the chance to secure a move to Manchester United during the January transfer window.

According to Sportitalia via the Daily Star, United submitted an £8.6 million offer for the 31-year-old centre-back on Thursday, which he rejected outright.

The Red Devils were prepared to offer the Morrocco international £3.2 million a year in wages, but he has snubbed a Premier League switch in favour of a lucrative deal from Qatar Star League outfit Al-Duhail – as per the Daily Star.

Al-Duhail have reportedly offered Benatia a three-year contract worth a whopping £4.3 million a year and as he approaches the latter stages of his career, it appears that money is his motivation rather than extending his stay at the highest level of European football.

Benatia expressed his desire to leave Juve earlier this month, after falling way down the pecking order in the squad this season under Massimiliano Allegri, with just five Serie A appearances to his name.

Medhi Benatia

Man United have five central-defenders in their current squad, but many experts and fans have suggested that caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is short of a real leader at the back, with several possible transfer targets mooted recently.

Benatia would have been a bargain buy for United, given his experience and quality, but it looks like they will now have to make do with their current crop of defenders between now and May.

Previous Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho lamented the club’s failure to bring in defensive reinforcements at the start of the 2018-19 campaign, with rumoured moves for Leicester City’s Harry Maguire and Barcelona’s Samuel Umtiti among others falling by the wayside – as per the Daily Star.

However, since Mourinho’s departure with the team languishing in mid-table in the Premier League, Solkskjaer has managed to oversee a brilliant turnaround, winning all eight of his games in charge across all competitions.

Eric Bailly, Victor Lindelof, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have all been rotated regularly and they have proved their mettle in recent weeks, meaning United need not to dwell on missing out on Benatia for too long.

Manchester United could offload out-of-favour star before transfer window closes

Manchester United captain Antonio Valencia could be sold this week, with Newcastle and Fulham interested in securing his services.

The Ecuadorian is out of contract at Old Trafford this summer, at which point he will be allowed to leave on a free transfer. He is also able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with any potential suitors during the current market, or he could even depart ahead of schedule for a cut-price free.

According to The Sun, United officials may be prepared to sanction his exit before the window closes, with first-team opportunities unlikely to be forthcoming for the 33-year-old between now and May.

Valencia has only managed to feature in five Premier League games this term and just one of those has come under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s stewardship, with Ashley Young and Diogo Dalot now ahead of him in the pecking order at the club.

Antonio Valencia in action for Manchester United

The veteran defender has amassed a whopping 338 appearances for the Red Devils since joining from Wigan ten years ago, contributing 25 goals in the process, but it appears that now his Old Trafford career is drawing to a close.

The Sun reports that Newcastle are considering a late bid for Valencia this month, while Fulham could also rival them for his signature after missing out Chelsea’s Victor Moses, who secure a move to Fenerbahce last week.

United have won their last eight games across all competitions with Solskjaer at the helm and suddenly the future looks bright for the team again after the ill-fated reign of Jose Mourinho.

Unfortunately, whenever a new regime takes effect there are inevitably players who fall by the wayside and Valencia may be one of the first at Old Trafford under Solskjaer, despite the fact he still holds the title of club captain.

The Sun states that the full-back had been hoping to remain at the club until at least the end of the season though, which might make a difference in any potential negotiations between United and fellow Premier League clubs over the next few days.